⁹ Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all of the people, “This day is holy to Yahweh your God. Do not mourn nor weep.” For all of the people wept when they heard the words of the law.^{[a] 10} Then he said to them, “Go, eat festive food and drink sweet drinks, and send a share to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our lord. Do not be grieved because the joy of Yahweh is your refuge.” ¹¹ So the Levites silenced all of the people, saying, “Silence, for this day is holy. Do not be grieved.” ¹² All of the people went to eat, to drink, to send a share, and to have great joy because they understood the words that they had made known to them.